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Illegal Detention: South Africa-based Activist Sues IGP, Emeka Offor, Demands N50 Million

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A South Africa based social critic and human rights activist, Bonny Okonkwo, has dragged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and Oil merchant, Emeka Offor and five others to a Federal High Court in Awka over alleged unlawful arrest and detention.

Today, being the 21st day of January 2024, marks the 17 days Bonny has been held in the custody of the Police without being granted bail or even charged to court.

He therefore demanded N50 million fine from the police as compensation for his unlawful detention.

He was said to have been arrested in his Oraifite Community in Anambra State and clamped into detention by Police since January 3, 2024 for allegedly criticizing Emeka Offor in a media publication.

According to an originating motion on notice served on the IGP at the Force Headquarters and obtained by Arise News on Saturday in Abuja, the activist asked the court to grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining Police and its agents from further arresting, detaining or infringing on his personal liberty.

Other defendants in the suit are Sir Emeka Offor, Area Commander, Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in Zone 13 and Commissioner of Police in charge of Cyber Crimes Bureau.

Okonkwo in the suit marked FHC/AWK/CS/02/2024, asked the court to order his immediate release from police custody or in the alternative, cause Police to produce him in court for any committed offence.

The applicant in the Fundamental Human Rights enforcement suit filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Sebastine Ifeanyi Okonkwo, prayed the Court to impose N50 million fine on the police to be paid to him as compensation for his unlawful detention.

Besides, the applicant sought a declaration by the court that his arrest and detention by the Area Commander, Commissioner of Police in Anambra State and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 13 since January 13 without bail was illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and unjustifiable.

He also asked the court to declare that the threats to further detain him in Abuja violated his right to freedom of movement and personal liberty as guaranteed by Section 35 of the 1999 constitution.

The plaintiff in his statement of claims in support of the motion on notice, asserted that he is a human rights activist and social crusader and an indigene of Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He said, “It was on the 4th day of January 2024, that Comrade Bonny Okonkwo who returned home to celebrate the Christmas holiday with his family, was ambushed at gun point by Police personnel from Oraifite Area Command Headquarters.

“Comrade Bonny was immediately whisked away to Anambra State Police Command Headquarters Awka and was confronted with a petition written against him by Emeka Offor through his solicitors Emeka Ajaegbo & Co and questioned on a comment allegedly attributed to him,.

“Since the 4th day of January 2024, Comrade Bonny has been held illegally in the custody of the Anambra State Police Command Headquarters Awka.

“Though the content of the said online publication is presently a subject matter of litigation, Comrade Bonny is till today being held by police over a matter pending in court.

“Following the obvious gross violation of Bonny’s fundamental rights extantly guaranteed under the constitution, his Solicitor S.I. Okonkwo, esq. commenced this Fundamental Rights Action before the Federal High Court Awka to enforce the immediate release of comrade Bonny Okonkwo.

“Today, being the 20th day of January 2024, marks the 16 days Bonny has been held in the custody of the Police without being granted bail or even charged to court if he has committed any offence known to law.

Meanwhile, hearing in the matter has been fixed for January 30.

Meanwhile, his counsel, Sabastine Ifeanyi Okonkwo, has appealed to the Vice President, Kashim Shetima and IGP, Kayode Egbetokun to use their respective offices to order immediate release of the detainee.

“While we await the hearing date, we wish to use this medium to seek for the immediate intervention of the Inspector General of Police and the office of the Vice President to immediately order that Bonny Okonkwo who has been held in confinement, in gross violation of his constitutional guaranteed rights, be released immediately or be charged to court if he has committed any offence known to law”, he said.

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BREAKING: Nigerian Motorists To Face Six Months Imprisonment Over Tinted Permits From Tuesday

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The Nigeria Police Force will begin enforcement of tinted vehicle permits from Tuesday, 12th of August, 2025.

According to the police, the punishment for not having a valid tinted permit for motorists include payment of fine or six months imprisonment, or both as the case may be.

“Penalties for Offending Without a Valid Permit If you drive with tinted windows without a permit, you can face the following upon conviction:

  • Fine: ₦2,000
  • Imprisonment: Up to 6 months
  • Or both”

It was also noted that offenders will be charged to the Federal High Court where their fate will be determined.

It would be recalled that the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun postponed the enforcement of the tinted permit to August 12, from an earlier day, as announced in June.

The postponement was due to the outrage following the announcement of the permit, in order to enable Nigerians put their documents in order.

The statement reads:

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has approved an extension of the grace period for the enforcement of Tinted Glass Permit requirement to the 12th of August, 2025. This extension comes on the heels of several concerns and feedback expressed by members of the public regarding the reactivation of the digital Tinted Glass Permit application process.

In line with our commitment to delivering transparent, inclusive, and citizen-focused policing, the Force wishes to affirm that it has not ignored the voices of Nigerians. Rather, these voices have been instrumental in guiding ongoing reviews of the process to ensure it remains user-friendly, secure, and accessible to all.

The extension of enforcement is also intended to give room for additional enhancements and refinements to the application process, ensuring that no member of the public is unduly disadvantaged.

The NPF is actively working to simplify and improve both the physical and contactless application options including enhanced verification mechanisms and streamlined procedures to reduce delays and eliminate undue inconveniences.

Members of the public are reminded that the authorized platform for the application and renewal of the Tinted Glass Permit is accessible via http://possap.gov.ng. Citizens are also encouraged to report all unauthorized or hidden charges as well as extortion in the course of application or biometric capturing to the appropriate Police authorities, including via the dedicated hotline: 09169967000.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to public safety, digital innovation, and continuous improvement in service delivery, and appreciates the cooperation and patience of the Nigerian people as these reforms are carried out.

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Five injured as tanker, bus collide in Lagos

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At least five persons were injured in a traffic accident involving a fuel tanker and a commercial bus at Toyota Bus Stop, inward Oshodi in Lagos State.

According to a statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority on Friday, the incident occurred on Thursday, near The Guardian newspaper headquarters and involved a PMS-laden tanker with registration number T28128LA and a commercial Volkswagen T4 bus, GGE 526 YG.

The statement which was signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, noted that preliminary findings from Oloto Police Division indicated that the tanker experienced a sudden brake failure while on top speed and rammed into the moving bus, which was fully loaded with passengers.

LASTMA said its officers “executed an urgent, precise and seamlessly coordinated rescue operation” at the scene, rescuing five persons, three females and two males, including the bus driver.

“Acting with commendable precision, the rescue team secured the accident scene, extracted the injured, and mitigated the risk of secondary hazards,” the agency said.

While one of the victims was taken to a nearby hospital by a good samaritan, the Lagos State Ambulance Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Rescue Unit conveyed the others to hospitals for emergency care.

Bakare-Oki, extended “profound sympathy to the victims” and expressed “heartfelt wishes for their full and speedy recovery.”

He blamed the accident on “brazen disregard for statutory speed limits, which are conspicuously signposted along Lagos highways,” stressing that proper speed regulation and vehicle maintenance could have prevented the crash.

He said, “Operators of articulated and heavy-duty vehicles particularly tanker drivers must maintain their machinery in flawless mechanical condition, with meticulous emphasis on the integrity of braking systems.”

Bakare-Oki also called on truck owners to “institutionalise rigorous and continuous training and retraining programmes for their drivers,” stating that “the sanctity of human life must remain the paramount consideration in all road transport operations.”

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Crime

Bandits kill respected community member, several others in Sokoto

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Several people, including a respected community member were killed during a bandit attack in Gidan Taro, Kwasare Sisawa ward, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident which happened on Thursday night, was shared by security analyst Bakatsine in a post on Friday.

Among those killed was Alhaji Bello Gidan Taro, a well-known and respected leader in the community.

Many others were injured, and some were abducted during the violent raid.

“Yesterday night, bandits attacked Gidan Taro in Kwasare Sisawa ward, Wurno LGA, Sokoto State, killing several, injuring many and abducting others. Among those killed was a respected community member, Alh. Bello Gidan Taro,” Bakatsine wrote.

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